VETERANS affairs minister Alan Griffin has dumped a $12 charge to Vietnam veterans awarded a medal for the Battle of Long Tan.

After a 40-year fight, the veterans have won the right to wear the medals awarded by the now defunct Saigon government in 1967.

But after earlier negotiating a $12 charge for the medals, the federal Government will now pick up the cost of foreign gallantry award, the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation With Palm.

"It was not about the money, it was about the protocol of the past,'' Mr Griffin told Sky News today.

"What makes this somewhat unusual is the fact that of course the government involved no longer exists.

"What we did was what was the past practice.The previous government in 2004 granted the right to wear some 22 medals for Long Tan veterans who had been granted by the South Vietnamese government.

"We were actually asked, and I make this very clear, to reverse a decision that was made 42-years ago which was not to grant an approval to wear a foreign award and that's what we did. In normal circumstances the foreign government then provides the award.

"We've been talking to vets and veteran representatives including the leader's of that battle and they didn't have a problem with .

"Given the level of concern that's been raised in the last 24 hours we've listened and made a change on that basis.''

_________________Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka,
from the HD Committee and its decision.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:17 am

BarryF

Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 2721
Location: Berkshire, United Kingdom

Re: Australian Minister of Defence see the light.

John Feltham wrote:

"Given the level of concern that's been raised in the last 24 hours we've listened and made a change on that basis.''

And there's the problem. In the UK civilian servants do not listen. In any event, a reversal of a decision such as has been made in Australia requires intellect to address all the issues and to overcome dogma, courage to face those aspects that are uncomfortable and inconvenient, and an understanding of what's right.

_________________BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:34 am

mcdangle

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 1027
Location: Scotland

Re: Australian Minister of Defence see the light.

BarryF wrote:

John Feltham wrote:

"Given the level of concern that's been raised in the last 24 hours we've listened and made a change on that basis.''

And there's the problem. In the UK civilian servants do not listen. In any event, a reversal of a decision such as has been made in Australia requires intellect to address all the issues and to overcome dogma, courage to face those aspects that are uncomfortable and inconvenient, and an understanding of what's right.

Yes, its called democracy and justice. Although our government preaches democracy to the world when it comes to British citizens we are treated as second class citizens and discriminated against by the civil servants who are openly permitted to do so by some of our elected representatives who are not interested in justice for all.

At the Scottish Public Petitions Committee in the Scottish Parliament I was accused by a female MSP (Labour) of being subjective when I said the difference between the British and Australian governments was that the Australians had an intelligent government whilst we did not. I wish I could now show her this report from Australia. Perhaps you read our site Jackie?, I doubt it though!

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:11 am

Rectalgia

Joined: 19 Jan 2010
Posts: 1512
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Long Tan

A compilation for the 2011 commemoration of Long Tan day (18 August), Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera Queensland:

Confrontation had just ended (11 August 1966), though the odd "TKU/TNKU" elements were evidently unconvinced. The next week, in Vietnam, the VC 275th Regiment, a substantial element of the NVA 45 Regiment (some say) and part of the VC D445 Local Forces Battalion were head to head with D Company 6 RAR in the rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan.

This year's observances were a little different. They were marked by the award of an Australian Unit Citation to 6 RAR for the action (they were awarded US and Vitnamese citations long ago) and the Medal for Gallantry to Fijian-born national serviceman, former platoon commander Dave Saben, an "upgrade" to the MID he was awarded at the time in lieu of the higher award recommended:

I think there was some sort of "accommodation" at the last minute but evidently this year's occasion was, finally, the "all bells and whistles" version. Alas, the vision remains a little cloudy, but it does clear a little or almost enough, from time to time.